Sabres' Moulson producing with AHL Reign

TSN.ca Staff

Matt Moulson
, The Canadian Press

Buffalo Sabres forward Matt Moulson owns one goal and nine points in five games with the AHL's Ontario Reign since clearing waivers on Dec. 5.

Moulson made his debut with the Reign on Dec. 9 and has recorded at least a point in each game since. He was loaned to the Reign, the affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings, as to not disrupt the development of the Sabres forwards in Rochester, general manager Jason Botterill said at the time.

In 14 games with the Sabres this season, Moulson was held without a point. Botterill is hoping Moulson's strong start with the Reign will lead to a turnaround in his career.

"You look at his start down in the AHL already: Hopefully, this jump-starts him getting back into the National Hockey League," Botterill told the Buffalo News on Friday.

"It was a very difficult move," Botterill added of the decision to demote Moulson. "Everyone in that locker room, everyone in this organization has a ton of respect for Matt and the professionalism that he brings.

"It was difficult conversations, but it was a situation that we had to make some adjustments to our team where we were at."

The 34-year-old is making $5 million for the Sabres this season and still has one year remaining on a five-year, $25 million deal he signed with the team ahead of the 2014-15 season. TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reported earlier this month the Sabres were willing to retain salary to move Moulson, but couldn't find a trade partner.

He scored 14 goals and posted 32 points in 81 games with the Sabres last season. Moulson posted three straight 30-goal seasons from 2009-2012, but has not topped 15 goals since 2014.

The Sabres (8-18-7) have yet to find a spark since waiving Moulson, posting 2-1-3 record.